Improvement in steam-pumps



L. J. KNOWLES.

Improvement in Steam-Pumps. N0. 4,507. Patented May 2,1871.

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Umrnn STATES Pa'rnn'r OFFICE.

LUGIUS J. KNOWLES, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT'IN STEAM-PUMPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 14,507, dated May 2, 1871.

To all-whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUoIUs J. KNOWLES, of the city and county of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Steam- Pumps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,iu which- Figure 1 represents a central vertical section of the pumping-cylinder, valves, and airchamber. Fig. 2 represents, upon an enlarged scale, a bottom view of one of the air-valves; and Fig. 3 represents a central section of the same.

To enable those skilled in the art to which my invention belongs to make and use the same, I will proceed to describe it in detail.

The nature of my invention consists in the combination, with the valve-box in a steampump, of air passages and valves, substantially as hereinafter described.

In the drawing, the part marked A represents the pump cylinder. B indicates the piston, and Uthe piston-rod. D indicates the supply-chamber, E the discharge-chamber, and F the air-chamber. G and G indicate the induction-valves for closing the passages between the supply-chamber D and cylinderports H; and I I indicate the eduction-valves for closing the passages between the ports El and discharge-chamber E.

All of the above-mentioned parts may be constructed and arranged in the ordinary manner, and therefore need not be more fully described.

The shell or casing J of the valve-box is cast with hollow projections K at each of its ends, the spaces L in which open into the in -teri0r of the valve-box between the valves G G and the cylinder-posts H, in the manner indicated in the drawings.

A small opening is formed in the lower part of each of the projection K for admitting air into the interior of the pump, and valves P are arranged for automatically opening and closing said openings while the pump is in action.

The air-valves P are provided with downward-projecting flanges a, arranged radially, so that their outer edges fit against the sides of the openings and prevent the valves from becoming displaced, while sufficient space is allowed at the angles between the flanges a for the ingress of the desired quantity of air.

The valves P are also provided with spindles b, which project upward from their centers, and the top ends of said spindles b fit into openings. formed in the plugs Q, and thereby assist in retaining the valves P in proper position.

Set screws R are arranged through i the plugs Q, which can be turned down upon the tops of the valve-spindles 1), thereby regulating the height to which the valves P rise, and the amount of air admitted to the pump. I

The plugs Q are for closing the openings in the projections K, through which the valves P are passed to their seats; and said plugs Q may be secured in place either by means of screw-threads or in any other convenient manner.

By admitting air into the pumps with the supply water, the mechanism of the pumpingengine is relieved from the shock and strain which would otherwise take place when forcing the water to a considerable height. This is owing to the fact that the air mixed with the water in the cylinder and pipes renders the water somewhat elastic, and thus prevents through the discharge-chamber E, and risesinto the air-chamber F.

The air being let into the supply water after it has passed the induction G G, there is no chance for the air to collect in the suctionpipe while the pumping-engine is at rest, and

thereby interfere with the sucking up of the 1 water when the engine is again set in motion. The valves P open and close in conjunction with the induction-valves G G, respectively,

so that the air and water are uniformly min-' gled in the proper relative proportions as they enter the cylinder A.

Having described my improvements in steampumps, what I claim therein as new and of my e I i 4.507

tiomen de r secmz by Le e s 1 ii- The q nhin ti t w th, the: heme-bo J enlt, is- I provided with hollow projections K, ofthe 1. The combination, with the valve-box in air-valves P, plugs Q, and adjusting-screws a. steam-pump, of air-valves, substantially as R, substantially as shown and described.

and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, with the shell J of the LUOIUS KNOWLES- valve-box in stewmwme of llow pr jec W nes es: tions K and air-valvesP, substantially as and THOS. H. DODGE,

for the purposes set forth. CHAS. H. BIiRLEIGHQ 

